Ghost - Bravo, your comments are on the money ( in more ways than one ) . More impressive you stay on the subject and dont drag the 11th street / Bullpup Lane issue into the discussion. It's clear and focused thought like this that would put Baldwin far ahead of where it is today.

Sadly, that would be an improvement over a power palnt that only costs - and costs - and costs..... Cant wait to hear sollutions to gold - oh I mean water rates still yet to be addressed by current council ( that Lawrence is still making a killing on ). Economic development plan should be a great smoke and mirror act for anyone dumb enough to locate here - hmm outrageous utilities, tons of red tape, anti- business govt....

A little planning and some thinking outside the box would do wonders ( meaning you can't keep doin what you good ol boys been doin the last decade and a half and expect to move ahead )

So given the above scenario of Baldwin not being able to be competetive with surrounding communities, I would be interested in Kens view as to how to move Baldwin forward in the future - attracting new business, getting rid of our financial herpe ( power plant ) lowering other utility rates...

It is sad that you can spend gas money to drive to Lawrence, pick up the same things as you can in Baldwin and still come back money ahead. The overhead our local businesses have to pay in utility rates, shipping, labor ... I dont blame them for charging what they charge - that falls in part on the mismanagement by the City and the lack of interest in doing anything to move Baldwin forward.

For the record options have been presented to the City for years now as to alternatives for power providers, instead we got a 12 % rate hike over the next 2 years - nice